Sandra Rubio is, in many ways, a model citizen. Every month, she got her bill from CPS Energy. Every month, she sent them a check for the amount owed. Imagine her surprise when, one day, the company informs her that she owes them $8,000 for electrical usage and that the problem was their mistake, not hers! Would you want to pay that bill?
As it turns out, Rubio’s been getting free electricity at her home in San Antonio, Texas, for five years. In 2005, when she was given a new digital electric meter, an employee entered a 0 rather than a 1 when the new meter was brought online. Because of this simple clerical error, Rubio got charged for gas use and base electrical service, but not electricity used. Five years later, the mistake is discovered and CPS came knocking for their pay.
“You trust that whatever they send you, whatever that amount is, that’s your bill,” said the shocked Rubio. She says she couldn’t understand all the numbers on her bill, and I can definitely believe that. I only really pay attention to the number telling me what I owe on my bills, too.
Image: Piemouth
Tags: Sandra Rubio, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas, faulty meter, 8000 dollars in late utility fees, giant electric bill, clerical errors, mistakes, giant electric bill